Orono arrives in St. Paul as one of the most battle-tested teams in the state, regardless of class. The Spartans have totaled a record of 19-5-3 this season against some of Minnesota’s best competition and have a record of 3-1-1 against fellow Class A State Tournament squads. 

The Spartans ooze with talent, led by senior forward and YHH Player of the Year finalist Zoe Lopez (32 goals, 17 assists, 49 points). Team USA Under-18 alums junior forward Maddy Kimbrel (18-20-38) and Macy Rasmussen (15-19-34) are verbally committed to Wisconsin and Ohio State, respectively. Sophomore goaltender Viv Anderson has some of the state’s top numbers, with a goals-against-average of 1.78, a .939 save percentage, and three shutouts. 

Despite coming out of a four-team section, Fergus Falls (15-11-1) attempted to beef up its regular-season schedule this season and has played quality Class A teams such as Marshall, Willmar, River Lakes, Crookston, and Warroad. 

Junior forward Hannah Johnson paces the Otters with 20 goals and 38 points, followed by 30-point totalers sophomores Maggie Greenagel (14-20-34) and Averie Tonneson (14-16-30). Yet another sophomore, Maddie Brimhall, produces for the Otters. Brimhall is second on the team behind Johnson with 15 goals. 

Three-time defending champion Warroad (24-3) makes its annual trip to St. Paul as the No. 3 seed behind No. 2 seed Orono and top-seeded Dodge County. 2025 marks the 10th consecutive section championship for the Warriors, and the team has won 17 consecutive games entering the state tournament. 

Sophomore Jaylie French (24-32-56) excels on defense and at forward, and junior forward Taylor Reese (25-15-40) has seven goals in her last four games. Junior goaltender Payton Rolli (24-3/1.12/.942/8) has played all but 12 minutes of the season. 

Marshall (22-3-2) enters the state tournament long on hope and short on experience, with just five seniors on the roster for the Tigers’ first trip to the Big Dance since 2018. Sophomore forward Brooklyn Mauch (47-35-82) will introduce herself to a larger audience this week, as will other high-scorers Abbey Foley (14-32-56) and Peyton DeMuth (25-19-44). Sophomore goaltender Lily Stelter has six shutouts this season and has six games with 25 or more saves.

Despite having seven players with 10 or more goals this season, defensive prowess may be the calling card of top-seeded Dodge County (21-3-2), which has averaged just 0.88 goals allowed per game as a team. The key piece of that stout defense is senior goaltender and Long Island University commit Ida Huber. A finalist for the Jori Jones Senior Goalie of the Year Award, Huber has played every minute for the Wildcats this season, resulting in a GAA of 0.83, a save percentage of .958, and 11 shutouts.

Senior forward Nora Carstensen leads the offense with 17 goals and 51 points, with sophomore Maysie Koch (16-21-37) and junior defender Alexa Van Straaten (5-27-32) providing supplemental offense. 

Is there a more dangerous No. 8 seed than River Lakes right now? Seven of the Stars’ 12 losses have been by two goals or fewer this season while taking on some of the top teams in their area. A pair of seniors lead the Stars (14-12-1) on paper, the ice, and in the locker room. Sophia Hess (35-17-52) is headed to one of the country’s top Division III programs in UW-River Falls next season, and senior goaltender Kaydence Roeske (14-12-1/2.03/.933/5) will take her talents to Minnesota State. 

Both Hess and Roeske have found new levels to their game during the postseason. Hess scored all four of the Stars’ goals in the Section 2A championship win over Willmar, and Roeske has posted back-to-back 18-save shutouts. 

Holy Angels enters the state tournament having won seven of its last eight games, including a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over South St. Paul in the Section 4A championship. The Stars’ schedule this season has included five teams playing in either the Class AA or Class A State Tournaments: Orono, Andover, Edina, Centennial/Spring Lake Park, and Hill-Murray. 

Like the rest of the Class A State Tournament field, Holy Angels (18-6-3) has an outstanding goaltender. Senior Lindenwood commit Zoe Rimstad has a 1.70 GAA, .931 save percentage, and three shutouts against quality competition. Offensively, senior forward Taylor Lesnar (21-20-41) leads the Stars in scoring. Genevieve Nelson (13-20-33), Harper Poehling (14-19-33), and Masyn Mullin (19-13-32) are more than capable of marking the scoresheet. 

Proctor/Hermantown (20-6-1) hasn’t lost in over a month, going 5-0-1 since a 5-0 loss against high-powered Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Five players have scored at least 10 goals this season for the Mirage, paced by senior forward Jane Eckstrom (20-12-32). 13 players on the Mirage roster have recorded 10 or more points through 27 games. 

Senior goaltender Neelah McLeod patrols the crease for the Mirage and has a slash line of 17-6-1/1.85/.920/8.